Applied Qualitative Research

Chapter 1. Defining and Designing Qualitative Research
1.1 Defining “qualitative research”
1.2 Unique ethical aspects of qualitative research and working with IRBs
1.3 Designing a qualitative study
1.4 Brief overview of qualitative data collection methods

Chapter 2. Participant Observation
2.1 How to observe
2.2 What to observe
2.3 Documenting observations

Chapter 3. In-Depth Interviews
3.1 Preparing for an interview
3.2 Developing an effective instrument
3.3 Conducting in-depth interviews
3.4 Documenting the interview 

Chapter 4. Focus Groups
4.1 Practical dimensions of conducting focus groups
4.2 Developing an effective focus group
4.3 Conducting and documenting focus groups 

Chapter 5. Additional Qualitative Data Collection Methods
5.1 Projective techniques
5.2 Visual techniques
5.3 Pre- and post-event activities
5.4 Examining decisions and values

Chapter 6. Data Management and Software
6.1 Data conversion
6.2 Monitoring data quality and study progress
6.3 Choosing qualitative data analysis software

Chapter 7. Planning and Preparing a Qualitative Analysis
7.1 Overview of the qualitative analysis process
7.2 Establishing analytic objectives
7.3 Writing an analysis plan

Chapter 8. Identifying Themes and Coding Data
8.1 Discovering themes
8.2 Creating codes and an effective codebook
8.3 Enhancing validity and reliability 

Chapter 9. Supplemental Analytic Techniques
9.1 Word/phrase searches
9.2 Comparing qualitative data
9.3 Data reduction techniques 

Chapter 10. Writing Up Qualitative Analyses
10.1 Understanding your audience
10.2 Finding your ‘hook”
10.3 Guidelines for presenting qualitative research
10.4 Writing the “Methods” and “Results sections 

Appendix. Tips and Tricks to Publishing

Applied Qualitative Research is designed for researchers at all levels who wish to gain an understanding of how to design, implement, analyze, and write up qualitative research in applied contexts.

Qualitative data analysis software demonstrations are presented with Nvivo and Dedoose at the end of each relevant section in the course.  Note that the lectures and exercises in the workshop are software independent: participants are not expected to have access to any specialized software.

Our motivating goal is to provide an interactive and engaging experience as we journey through the world of qualitative research, from the design stage to writing up results. We strive to strike a balance between core concepts behind the data collection and analytic techniques covered and with their practical application in applied research contexts. Our workshop is designed to provide participants with the materials and instruction needed to design and implement a qualitative research study and to apply what they’ve learned to their own projects.

Note: To make the most of the instruction - although not required - we highly encourage participants to bring a research idea of their own to the workshop. Research ideas will be incrementally developed and refined throughout the workshop with the goal of having an actionable research plan at the end of the five days.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define what qualitative research is (and is not)
• Craft effective research questions for applied qualitative studies
• Identify appropriate data collection and sampling strategies for qualitative research
• Address ethical and logistical considerations specific to qualitative research
• Use and apply the three primary qualitative data collection methods - participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups
• Describe a range of useful, yet less commonly used, qualitative data collection methods
• Conduct rigorous inductive and deductive thematic analysis
• Employ inter-coder reliability checks
• Use several data reduction and comparative techniques
• Structure a cogent qualitative report/article

Greg Guest and Emily Namey co-teach the workshop via Zoom and will alternate lecturing throughout the day. Participants will receive complete PDF copies of the course notes. The PDFs are not time-limited and may be retained indefinitely but should not be distributed to others without obtaining prior permission.